Entertaining Your Small Dog All Year Long
Entertaining Your Small Dog by Karol King |Published 12-14-2020
Almost 50% of households own a small dog, with the French bulldog and the Yorkshire terrier being among the top ten favorites among dog owners. Small dogs are excitable, fun-loving and require lots of exercise to keep their heart and muscles healthy.
During some of the more challenging months, the weather may not be appropriate to continue with regular walkies, so it could be time to get creative. How can you keep your small dog active during each season?
Entertaining Your Small Dog: Winter Walkies
Smaller dogs generally need less exercise than larger breeds but, ideally, all dogs should get out twice daily for exercise for 15-60 minutes at a time. Wintery weather may be off-putting for you, but your doggy still needs some fresh air and exercise. Grab your raincoat and take your pet for a rainy run or teach them a new trick indoors when the weather is too blustery for walkies.
After walking in snow, ensure that you check and clean their paws once home as grit or salt may get caught and cause cuts and scratches.
Consult with your vet to determine how cold is too cold to take your small doggy out as there is a risk of hypothermia or frostbite at much lower temperatures. Terriers are particularly resilient in cold weather due to their hard topcoats and soft undercoats.
Investing in some cute booties and a sweater for less tolerant dog breeds can help keep your pet warm to allow them some time outdoors in winter.
Winter Indoor Activities
Some small dog breeds are not as resilient during the colder months. Dachshunds have extremely thin coats which do little to protect them in winter and they also have short legs which makes it difficult to navigate the snow.
Chihuahuas are similar and often enjoy going out inside their owner’s coat. As a result, walks for your small dog may be few and far between as your pup may refuse to go outside. In these instances, having a back yard can be handy as they can spend a little time outdoors and come in as they please.
Dogs without a back yard may not get enough exercise but there are ways you can keep them active indoors. Hide and seek will keep their minds active and curious while indoor fetch will allow them to have a run around.
A game of tug of war can help keep them motivated when indoors for longer periods of time and you can even give your pup a go on your indoor treadmill to keep their legs moving while it is cold outside.
Entertaining Your Small Dog: Summer Fun in the Sun
Summer is a great time of year to get outside with your pet for some games and exercise. Grab the frisbee and take doggy for a game in the park or take them to the dog park to make some new friends.
Summer is ideal for a trip to the beach where your dog can run without stopping along the length of the sand and can also take a dip in the water to cool off afterwards.
Avoid taking your dog out in the middle of the day when the sun is hottest and apply a pet safe sunscreen if out for a long period of time.
During hotter weather, your dog may prefer to lie down in the shade and relax. Be careful of humidity as your dog may not be able to cool itself and may need to go inside.
The Airedale Terrier and the American Water Spaniel are breeds which love playing in the sun; just be sure to protect their paws from hot pavement and rocks when out on a hike or on walkies.
Summer Doggy Protection
Although your dog may enjoy going outdoors more often in the summer months, they may tire quickly and are more susceptible to damaging heatstroke and dehydration. French bulldogs, Pugs and Shih Tzu are at highest risk of heatstroke therefore it is important to know the signs when taking them outside in the sun.
Look out for excessive panting, drooling, vomiting or collapse. Some small dogs have to work harder to pant, which cools them down, therefore they need to spend more time in the shade. Ensure that you take them out to play in an area with lots of trees or even with an indoor area.
Douse them in cool water when they start to pant more often and ensure they drink water regularly. Dogs will continue to play, even when overheating so you must keep a watchful eye on them during the hottest days of the year.
Entertaining Your Small Dog: Fall Frolics and Spring Activities
Fall and Spring are ideal for lots of walkies and outdoor fun with your pet. As the weather is usually milder, your small dog will love playing amongst the leaves or even in the spring rain. Fall is the perfect time to go for a long hike with your small dog; ensure that their paws are protected and there are plenty of areas to shelter or shade if needed.
Dress up your small dog for Halloween and have them join the kids on trick or treat activities. The local pumpkin patch or apple orchard are also ideal environments for your small dog to roam around in, just ensure the farm is dog-friendly.
Spring weather can be slightly unpredictable, depending on where you live. Pack a doggy raincoat and booties in case of heavy rainfall. Dogs are likely to shed more frequently during spring to make way for their summer coat so ensure you brush your pet more often during these months.
Your dog will love a camping adventure with you and the family as they can enjoy the sights and smells of the fresh flowers and plants of the outdoors.
Last Words About Entertaining Your Small Dog
Research your breed of small dog to find out which season is
their favorite and whether they can protect themselves from extreme weather.
Ensure you protect your dog from the challenges of winter and the hottest of
summer by keeping them in your garden or indoors when it is not possible to go
for long walks.
Author Bio of Entertaining Your Small Dog
Karol King “Karol is an animal lover who has dedicated her life to helping dogs to find a safe and happy home. She now works as a freelance writer, which is her passion, and has the freedom to spend more time at home with her wonderful family.”
More Articles by Karol King
Improve Indoor Air Quality: Could the Air In Your Home Make Your Dog Sick?
Traveling With Small Dogs: Tips for a Safe Trip
Exercising and Bonding with Your Small Dog: 7 Tips to a Successful Attachment
Does This Article Deserve Your Thumbs Up?
We always appreciate your support and encouragement. Your thumbs up means so much to us. Please like this article.
Free Monthly Newsletter
Sign Up for Our Free Newsletter and get our Free Gift to You.
my E-book, The Top 10 Mistakes People Make When Choosing a Dog (and how to avoid them)
If you enjoyed this page, I’d love it if you’d let me know. Just click the button below. Thank you.
Sharing is Caring
Hi friends, good post and fastidious arguments commented here, I am truly enjoying
by these.
Wow that was odd. I just wrote an extremely long comment but after I clicked submit
my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all
that over again. Anyhow, just wanted to say fantastic blog!
What i don’t understood is if truth be told how you are now not
actually a lot more well-favored than you might be right now.
You’re very intelligent. You recognize thus considerably on the subject of this topic, made me individually believe it from a lot of various angles.
Its like women and men aren’t interested except it is something
to accomplish with Woman gaga! Your personal stuffs nice.
At all times maintain it up!
Hello, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues.
When I look at your blog in Opera, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some
overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up!
Other then that, terrific blog!
You’re so interesting! I do not believe I have read through something like that before.
So wonderful to discover another person with some genuine thoughts on this topic.
Seriously.. many thanks for starting this up. This website is something that is needed
on the internet, someone with a bit of originality!
I do not know whether it’s just me or if perhaps everybody else encountering problems
with your website. It seems like some of the text in your posts are running off the screen. Can someone else please provide
feedback and let me know if this is happening to them as well?
This may be a issue with my internet browser because I’ve had this
happen before. Kudos
Hey! Someone in my Myspace group shared this website with us so I came to
look it over. I’m definitely enjoying the information. I’m bookmarking and will
be tweeting this to my followers! Terrific blog
and great style and design.
Do you have any video of that? I’d love to find out some additional information.
I do consider all the ideas you’ve presented for your
post. They’re very convincing and can certainly work. Nonetheless, the posts are too quick for
novices. Could you please prolong them a little from subsequent time?
Thanks for the post.
I’m gone to tell my little brother, that he should also pay
a visit this blog on regular basis to get updated from hottest
gossip.
I’ve read several just right stuff here. Definitely price bookmarking for revisiting.
I wonder how much attempt you put to create this kind of magnificent
informative website.
Howdy I am so glad I found your weblog, I really found you by error,
while I was looking on Aol for something else, Anyhow I
am here now and would just like to say cheers for a fantastic post and a
all round entertaining blog (I also love the theme/design),
I don’t have time to look over it all at the moment but I have book-marked it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read much more, Please do keep
up the great work.
Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you writing this article and also the rest of the site is really good.
The first play will come in thhe very important match for USA
vs Portugal, exactl where I expec the Americans to secure a spot
iin the round of 16 with a win.
My blog post: toto79.org
I was suggested this web site by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by
him as nobody else know such detailed about my problem.
You are incredible! Thanks!
Hi there to every , for the reason that I am genuinely eager of
reading this webpage’s post to be updated regularly. It consists of pleasant data.
I know this if off topic but I’m looking into starting my own blog and was wondering what all is required to
get set up? I’m assuming having a blog like yours would cost a
pretty penny? I’m not very web smart so I’m not 100% certain.
Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. Appreciate it
Yes! Finally someone writes about website.
I enjoy looking through an article that can make people think.
Also, thank you for allowing me to comment!
I have been browsing on-line greater than three hours as of late, but I by no means discovered any interesting article
like yours. It’s pretty value enough for me. In my opinion, if all site owners and bloggers
made good content material as you did, the web will likely be a lot more helpful than ever before.
I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your website. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much
more pleasant for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer
to create your theme? Great work!
I am actually thankful to the holder of this web site who has shared this impressive paragraph at at this place.
I was suggested this blog by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as no one else know such detailed about my difficulty.
You’re wonderful! Thanks!
Have you ever considered creating an ebook or guest
authoring on other sites? I have a blog based upon on the same ideas you discuss and would really like
to have you share some stories/information. I know my subscribers would value your work.
If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an e mail.
Hello! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get my blog to
rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing
very good success. If you know of any please share. Thanks!
You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation however I in finding this topic to be really
something which I think I’d never understand. It
seems too complex and very broad for me. I’m having a look ahead to
your next submit, I’ll attempt to get the dangle of
it!
Hello there, I believe your web site could possibly be having internet browser compatibility
problems. Whenever I take a look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine however when opening in IE, it’s got some overlapping issues.
I just wanted to give you a quick heads up!
Aside from that, great blog!
Now I am going away to do my breakfast, afterward having my breakfast coming over again to
read other news.
We’re a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community.
Your website provided us with valuable info to work on. You have done a formidable job and
our entire community will be thankful to you.
I’m extremely impressed with your writing skills
as well as with the layout on your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself?
Anyway keep up the excellent quality writing,
it’s rare to see a great blog like this one today.
Hi, I do think this is a great website. I stumbledupon it 😉 I am going to return once again since i have saved as a favorite it.
Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and continue to guide others.
I like the helpful info you provide to your articles. I’ll
bookmark your blog and take a look at again here frequently.
I am somewhat sure I will learn lots of new stuff proper here!
Best of luck for the next!
Provided their 500% deposit bonus, major selection of 500+
casino games, and jam-packed banking menu, it is no surprise
they came out on major.
Do you have a spam problem on this blog; I also am a blogger,
and I was wanting to know your situation; we have developed some nice methods and we are looking to trade methods with other folks, why not shoot me
an email if interested.
It’s really a nice and useful piece of information. I am happy
that you just shared this helpful information with us. Please stay us informed like this.
Thanks for sharing.
Very great post. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to mention that I’ve really enjoyed browsing your weblog posts.
After all I’ll be subscribing in your rss feed and I hope you write again very soon!
If you are going for finest contents like me, only pay a quick visit
this site daily as it offers quality contents,
thanks
Hi to every body, it’s my first visit of this blog;
this website contains remarkable and truly good
information in favor of visitors.
Hi there! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be
ok. I’m undoubtedly enjoying your blog and look forward to new updates.
This is very fascinating, You’re an excessively skilled blogger.
I have joined your rss feed and look ahead to in search of more of your wonderful post.
Additionally, I have shared your site in my
social networks
Fantastic goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you are just extremely
excellent. I really like what you’ve acquired here, really like what you are
stating and the way in which you say it. You make
it entertaining and you still care for to keep it smart.
I can not wait to read much more from you. This is really a great web site.
It’s actually very complicated in this full of activity
life to listen news on Television, therefore I only use world wide web for that
reason, and get the latest news.
hello!,I like your writing so so much! percentage we keep up
a correspondence more about your post on AOL? I require an expert in this house to resolve my problem.
May be that is you! Taking a look forward to look you.
What’s up, all is going fine here and ofcourse every one is sharing
facts, that’s actually fine, keep up writing.
Hi there! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering if you
knew where I could find a captcha plugin for my comment form?
I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having problems finding one?
Thanks a lot!
This is a great tip particularly to those new to the blogosphere.
Simple but very precise information… Many thanks for sharing this one.
A must read article!